National Cold Cuts Day

Pick Out Some Gourmet Condiments for a Great Flavored Sandwich

Wednesday is being touted as National Cold Cuts Day. It seems like we have a "National" day for just about everything imaginable these days, so knowing we have a National Cold Cut Day just shows me we will stretch ourselves to just about any limit to be able to celebrate something.

Regardless of how you feel about cold cuts, they are aren't going away anytime soon. Across the country sandwiches of cold cut meat and cheese are made by the millions.

Cold Cut Sandwiches

Hoagies, Blimpes, and Subs (Or Submarine)

These sandwiches are one in the same, it just depends on what part of the country you live in. "Sub" makes the most sense to me as this sandwich is sort of shaped like a submarine. Philadelphia claims the Hoagie sandwich, supposedly named after Hog Island. The hoagie is the "Official Sandwich of Philadelphia" since 1992.

This sandwich, whatever you decide to call it is a plethora of options. Any sort of bread, cold cuts from chicken and turkey to pastrami or salami can be used. Whatever your taste in cheeses, veggies, condiments and spices can be used to create your own version. It can be served hot or cold, again, depending on your preference.Dagwood Sandwich

This sandwich was made popular by a comic book character by the name of Dagwood Bumstead. Go to your refrigerator and take out just about everything in there besides the light bulb. Pile on bread until it's about three feet high. That's a Dagwood sandwich!

Italian Sandwich

The Italian sandwich actually hails from Portland, Maine. Giovanni Amato, an Italian immigrant, was selling fresh baked rolls from a pushcart to his fellow Italian immigrants that arrived in Maine in droves to work the docks. The worker's requested that meat, cheese, and fresh vegetables be added to the rolls to make them a heartier meal. Hence the "Italian Sandwich" was born.

Po' Boy (Poor Boy) Sandwich

This is actually my favorite sandwich, but instead of cold cuts, I prefer the versions made with oysters, shrimp, or crayfish. But to keep with our cold cut theme, they can also be made with roast beef and gravy, or a variety of your own favorites. This sandwich is always made from french bread and hails from New Orleans.

Cold cuts are also very popular to use for appetizers. Anyone who has been to their share of parties and showers have probably seen the ever popular cold cut pin wheel. This is made by rolling cold cuts in a roll with soft cheese and green onions and then cut into slices to look like little pinwheels.

Now that I've sufficiently whet your appetite for the many uses for cold cuts, here is a recipe for cold cut calzones. It's hearty and can be a great main dish idea.

Defrost dough to room temperature and preheat oven to350 degrees. Roll the dough out to about the size of your cookie sheet. Place the ingredients in the center of the dough. Fold the dough over and fold in ends. Coat each side lightly with olive oil. Bake until golden brown, about 30 minutes.

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